Lakers Need Monster Performance From Dwight Howard

So what are we supposed to do now? Believe in him, pull for him to have a fine performance and play like the Superman he once was in Disney World before migrating to Disneyland? If the issue was whether he was burnt out from the Epcot Experiment and just wanted to experience a California Adventure, it's because the Los Angeles Lakers are usually in contention to win a championship.

It's hard to make a case that either he desperately joined the Lakers to flee the chaos in Orlando, but whatever the reasoning was behind Howard's trade, he's a factor for the Lakers and must have a monster performance in Game 2 Wednesday night in San Antonio. So this is a chance for Howard to really lead the Lakers to a playoff series win, without the services of Kobe Bryant because of a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered during a regular-season win against Golden State. And now Howard is the most important player for the Lakers in these playoffs.

If they can somehow pound the ball inside they can easily tie this series, despite the Spurs' swarming defenders that forced Howard to turn the ball over. Yet Howard's ability to execute underneath the basket remains a question and, after a loss in Game 1 of the playoff opener, it raises concern about whether he can hold on to the ball, let alone adjust the way he attacks in the post or sets rock-solid screens to create space for himself to dominate the paint and frustrate a pesky Spurs defense.

If the Buss family is smart, no matter how the season ends, they won't let Howard walk at the end of the season. If everything goes right, the Lakers will sign him to an enormous deal and he will keep on a purple and gold uniform. Assuming that he's come to L.A. to be the star of the post-Kobe era, he's indeed the one the Lakers will count on when the going gets tough, like now. He pretty much has been aggressive in a fierce battle against the veteran Tim Duncan.

It's about one big man trying to outdo the other. It's about the strongest and smartest, and with that in mind, Howard would have to stand up to the ageless and more assertive Duncan. If so, the Lakers could likely travel back to L.A. with a victory in the books, but Howard will have to play dominant and like a beast, one we've never seen, one that's not commonplace, one that convinces us he can carry the weight on his shoulders without his pal Kobe.

There's much about Howard that is significant, striking and perceptible, so it would only be wise to assume that he's more than just a 6-foot-11 big man with size and superhero physique. He is truly one of the funniest guys in the game. Known for his antics and whimsical nature, he'd probably be a damn good standup comedian and could sell out the Laugh Factory. He's that funny and humorous, but on Wednesday in a game that will likely dictate the nature of this series, he will need to wipe away his captivating smile and do the impression of a ferocious animal.

Howard needs to put aside the playfulness and be for real. More than that, he's now a willing leader who is not backing down from the challenge and has embraced his role in Bryant's absence. It might come down to Howard knocking down two free throws to clinch in the final minutes of a pivotal game. It might come down to him blocking and corralling what could have been a game-winning shot. It might come down to him putting back a missed shot or grabbing that crucial rebound, which could change the perspective of the game.

There is zero chance that the Lakers, a team that relies heavily on a big man in the pursuit of their NBA titles, would survive without a big game from Howard. He believes the Lakers can surprise the world -- very dangerous -- in these playoffs. It's one thing to dream, but another thing to turn it into reality. Without Kobe, the Lakers have no choice but to attack the rim with Howard's size and power. And lately, he's been living up to his nickname, rightfully so. He's been playing like Superman, not Superless Howard. He's been playing like an untamed giant, despite his silly passes and poor handling of the ball and the number of turnovers he's committed in the previous game. That can make this Lakers team dangerous.

The Lakers need his presence, his mental toughness and another dominant performance, without any mistakes. That means he can't account for 10 of the Lakers' 18 turnovers. But amazingly, after waiting and waiting, he has been everything the Lakers expected from him. Howard, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, loves it in Los Angeles, but who knows if he'll stay? That doesn't matter at the moment, when there's much on the line in these playoffs and plenty to focus on. What we do know is that he's a different player since Bryant went down.

What we do know is that Howard is not only a defensive force but also a beast in the interior. The Lakers are a better team when he's healthy and when he plays like the Lakers are his team. Furthermore, he's the league's best rebounder, but he needs to continue to play like that all the time and cannot take nights off. The dominance he's shown is what the Lakers had in mind. He's playing with more energy and pizzazz. He's playing with a different mentality, the Dwight Howard that no one has seen much.

He's proving that he fits in well, and he's merely the key piece to make a deep playoff run. If he does become the most dominant center in the NBA, to follow Shaquille O'Neil, a Laker legend, maybe folks are going to perceive him as a likable superstar and not a polarizing diva who has been known for his wishy-washy, flaky mannerism.

This game will determinate what he's made of.

Tweet This, Kobe! Lakers’ Big Men Have to Get It Done

So how would you feel if you were Kobe Bryant, suffered a season-ending injury and watched your team from afar struggle against a stronger Spurs team? How would you feel if you were a 15-time All-Star who averaged 27 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists and couldn’t help your team in the first series of a mind-numbing postseason, missing the playoffs for the second time in your polished career? How would you feel if you were the Black Mamba, the central figure of the Los Angeles Lakers, lashed out on social networking and tweeted from home throughout the game since you currently can’t travel with the team?

If you were like Kobe, a competitor and enthusiast, you would be very upset, frustrated and “bored.” On Sunday afternoon, from his Newport Beach home, he sat on the couch with his surgically repaired left leg elevated. Bryant sat in front of his television, as he was tweeting and nervously watching the Lakers run into trouble and come unstuck for the first time since he ruptured his Achilles tendon, expected to be sidelined six to nine months while recovering from surgery. The beloved star guard for one of the most celebrated franchises in pro sports was madly posting quotes via Twitter during the Lakers’ 91-79 loss in Game 1 of the playoff opener, which was still on, when he was using 140 characters to coach and encourage his teammates.

“Matador Defense on Parker. His penetration is hurting us.”

No growling. No snarling. No scowling. Maybe from his home, but not on the court. Bryant won’t be around to facilitate or hit a game-winning shot with much at stake in a postseason when folks already have doubts about the Lakers, following a porous season of disappointments, frustrations and woes that eventually culminated with a miracle to the playoffs. The idea that the Lakers are a social fabric, a main event, and more importantly, the most famous organization in a diverse community that comforts Californians in the Southland is why it is often hard any time the team is eliminated from contention in late April or early May and fails to lift the trophy come June. If Kobe were somehow healthy to indeed play, it would only give the Lakers a greater chance over the Spurs, if not a greater shot of winning a championship.

“Nothing worse then watching your bothers struggle and u can’t do crap about it #realtalk.”

In this particular series, nothing is worse than Mike D’Antoni’s boneheaded coaching philosophy, and sometimes he has the mind of a doofus by using his run and gun style of offense. This was not a workable or useful system for the Lakers all season. This was realistically a flawed coaching system as it showed all season. Given that he arrived and installed a fast-paced offense this season, which the Lakers needed time to adjust and learn D’Antoni’s peculiar style, an aging and slothful team isn’t capable of running the floor with players from opposing teams who are faster and younger. Deemed an offensive genius, as a generalization is not a misguided theory, he’s never preached defense. If he’d like be a Lakers coach for a very long time, then he must have the ability to alter his offensive and defensive strategy.

#Realtalk!

He knows there’s a tremendous amount of pressure on him, in other words, or blame could lie with D’Antoni for his inability to coach a championship-caliber team. Only he can rectify the frailty and blemishes by making smart choices. The most erratic basketball team in the world is coached by someone who is baffled and has no clue what way to utilize his players. Now wasn’t the time for Steve Nash to start for the Lakers. The decision, it could be debatable, has allowed Nash to return to the starting lineup for a team that can really use his presence and he better suits D’Antoni’s offensive mantra that his point guard ran effectively under him in Phoenix.

These Lakers aren’t the Suns, though. These Lakers are older, much older than that fast-running Phoenix team D’Antoni coached in the desert. This year, Nash is battling with injuries, which is only by far slowing down the 39-year-old veteran. He is not even fully healthy and should have come off the bench, especially with how well Steve Blake has been producing highest-scoring performances of his career to help the Lakers secure a playoff spot without the Twitter Coach.

Everyone loves to believe, though Nash missed eight games with a hamstring injury, that he can change everything for the Lakers in this series as a scoring threat that the Lakers badly needed. It felt like the start of something, a breath of hope and optimism in a game that Pau Gasol spaced the floor and ran pick-and-roll sets for Nash. More to the point, he scored 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting with three assists and a lone turnover in his first appearance in nine games. And while this was happening, as it did, Bryant was sharing his feelings and thoughts with the world, tweeting during the game, for which his rants and endless tweets might have been more entertaining than the game itself for more than 2 million followers.

He tweeted, “Post. Post. Post.”

I’m with Kobe on this one. Great minds think alike.

He is now offering support and his best advice on what the Lakers need to do as a team if they want to keep winning and be successful in a playoff that they are a least favorite to make it out of the first round against the San Antonio Spurs. Yet even after the loss, Bryant still believes the Lakers can win with the group they have. It’s now time to realize that without Kobe, though he’s tweeting about the game, the Lakers can’t make too many mistakes. Worse than all, the Lakers turned the ball over 18 times like it was a hot potato, as though they could slow down Spurs guard Tony Parker by carelessly having more turnovers. With Kobe out, he has embraced his role as, well, not a team cheerleader but let’s just say a social media freak.

Feeling this way, since he’s not healthy to help his teammates make a deep run in the playoffs, he’s providing insight and a vote of confidence. He was perhaps aware that Howard and Gasol combined for a total of 10 turnovers and that it has stifled the Lakers since the early part of the season to dictate their status as they jockeyed for a playoff position. With this in view, Howard and Gasol, the two Lakers’ big men, are more vulnerable and benign. This series, and Bryant knows this as well, will be long if Howard and Gasol can’t limit the number of turnovers.

While it’s true that Howard and Gasol are the team’s best options, with Bryant missing the postseason, the Lakers’ offense must be a heavy post attack. If they are going to be a real threat, and make life miserable for Gregg Popovich’s Spurs, well, then Howard has to defend the rim, establish a post game and dominate underneath. The fact he was getting the ball stripped away every time he was down low, plagued by two Spurs defenders, hurt the Lakers as the big man turned it over with awful passes and ball-handling. By then, Kobe was furious and ready to scream. He wasn’t laughing out loud — LOL. By then, Kobe probably was shaking his head.

I know I was shaking my head — SMH.

Gasol is playing well and raised his game in Bryant’s absence, a gifted Spaniard who is confident in his ability to score. He had 16 points, adding 16 rebounds and six assists, to register another double-double. Howard scored 20 points, but it was lost after having so many turnovers.

As it happened, Bryant was still tweeting and tweeting and tweeting.

Quite frankly, he’s publicly communicating with his team via social networking, speaking his mind, illustrating his passion as always, while he misses playing with the guys. He is vocal and outspoken, never has been afraid to rip anyone or speak the truth about a specific topic regarding the Lakers and never backed down from anyone or anything. Therefore, he’s tweeting messages he says to the Lakers when he’s on the sideline during timeouts or when he’s on the floor, where he has a penchant for scolding and chiding his guys.

If the Lakers expect to win this series and tie it in Game 2, then Howard must take care of the ball and have a big game, so does Gasol.

Aside from that, for those who are Twitter fanatics, subscribe to Kobe.

After All the Scares, Lakers Survive to See Playoffs

It has been an exasperating, up-and-down, trying season and one that caused panic and anxiety throughout L.A., where basketball is the pride and joy of the community, symbolizing all what’s charming about the entertainment capital of the world. You could almost sense the sign of relief when the Los Angeles Lakers survived a 99-95 overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in their building, on their home floor and in front of their tense crowd.

As nervous as these fans have been, as queasy as they were watching these Lakers painfully drop against lackluster teams throughout the season, they hung in and witnessed a different group of guys who turned it on late in the season to notch a fifth consecutive victory. By winning the final game of the regular season, to end one of the most dismal and disappointing seasons, the Lakers earned a first-round playoff series against San Antonio and avoided Oklahoma City, the top-seeded team in the Western Conference and a horrifying matchup for an older and short-handed Lakers unit.

It would have been one of the biggest disappointments in the history of the NBA if the Lakers were to miss the playoffs. It could have been quite embarrassing for the Lakers, considering all the talent and star power they acquired during the offseason. It took another kind of dominant, laborious effort from a group that was determined, relentless and persistent in order to clinch a playoff berth. In the playoffs, and a long, long way to go, the Lakers match up well with the Spurs.

It was a great fear, a great possibility that the Lakers wouldn’t make the NBA playoffs, but through all the scares, suffering and nightmares, they managed to reach their ultimate goal with help from Memphis on the night when the Lakers earned the seventh seed by beating the Rockets. The Lakers were in a fight with Utah for the West’s final spot, but the Grizzlies defeated the Jazz as the Lakers secured the final playoff berth. There is no equating late momentum to postseason success, but the Lakers can continue to piece together victories.

Entering these playoffs, with an abundance of confidence and staying power, the Lakers have much to feel good about. So it’s a series when the Lakers are underdogs, even when they are loaded with otherworldly talent. That’s what happens when a top-notched team underachieves and barely survives the regular season, with star players suffering injuries that hinder a contender from posing a challenge for its oppositions in the West.

When the season started, the Lakers were one of the most hyped teams and were the clear favorite to advance on to the NBA Finals. When the season began miserably, the Lakers were a riddle and fans went into panic mode, after the team’s 0-3 start that alarmed Kobe Bryant and the rest of the gang. When the season ended on a high note, after all the horror nights at Staples Center, the Lakers came together, acted with a sense of urgency and found the formula to winning.

The moment the season began for those wearing purple and gold, they were doomed to a dreary stretch of failures, under a fired Mike Brown. Then came Mike D’Antoni to replace Brown a few days after the team’s bungling of Phil Jackson’s return in mid-November. The blame laid with the Buss family for their failure to hire Jackson. And so they picked D’Antoni over an 11-time NBA champion, over someone who brought five championships to the Lakers and over someone whose familiarity and relationship with the organization ideally suited the team’s personality. But we all know too well that Phil and Jim didn’t get along.

Buss is simply not one of the best owners, and sometimes we wonder about his business acumen. He’s made faulty trades since taking over the personnel decisions in 2005. He’s made bad choices with coaches twice by hiring Brown over Brian Shaw and then hiring D’Antoni over Phil. He failed to satisfy a disillusioned fan base and foolishly made the worst draft picks. He couldn’t put his ego aside and believed D’Antoni would run an offense better fitted for Steve Nash.

All season, the Lakers, who were revamped last summer, were still forlorn and struggling to win games. They were an utter disaster and were very painful to bear or watch, incapable of meeting expectations, albeit they were loaded with talent and had maybe too many players with swollen egos. It’s just a start on what could be a watchable and fun playoff as the Lakers, in all considering, are playing stupendous defense, which allowed the team to play its best basketball without Bryant’s services.

There’d be enough talk about the Lakers not being the juggernaut they were believed to be. There’s talent everywhere on this team, maybe not as much since Bryant went down with a season-ending injury. But what matters, what really matters, is whether the Lakers can thrive without him. The Lakers will be without Bryant, their main character and clutch performer. His season ended in anguish when he ruptured his Achilles tendon, having to miss the rest of the season, consult with his teammates and watch painfully. Bryant is 34 years old, the Lakers star, and because he was the catalyst and the fiercest scorer on earth, he’s a loss for the team but they’ve played effectively without him late in the season.

The world-famous franchise, one that has a history of championships and a list of all-time stars and legends, will have the weight of that postseason run that everyone anticipated — although the Lakers have struggled through injuries and even playoff positioning. It was in the summer that the Buss family added All-Star Dwight Howard and Nash to the team, joining a roster that already had Bryant and Pau Gasol. The problem here is not a plethora of injuries but the team’s inability to match the speed of younger and fresher legs, along with D’Antoni’s coaching methods. He doesn’t realize that this Lakers team cannot run. He doesn’t emphasize the significance of defense, but he was Buss’ guy.

All things considered, the Lakers like what they saw of Nash, who was injured for a long time. So, they’d watch and stand around as Bryant put on his Kobe Lakeshow spectacles. He might have worn down, mentally and physically, and late in the season he endured pain and played so many minutes to carry this lifeless team. By many accounts, Steve Blake rescued the Lakers on Wednesday, scoring a career-high 24 points. He was the streakiest, hottest scorer in the building, knocking down his 3-point shots and free throws.

More than anyone, even Blake, Gasol is capable of scoring and bouncing or delivering a pass to his teammates. You can cheer for Gasol. He is, mainly, producing without Kobe on the floor and had his second triple-double this month, finishing with 17 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists. Then, his counterpart, Dwight Howard, became the youngest player in NBA history to collect 9,000 rebounds.

If the Lakers are to beat the Spurs as everybody is ruling them out, they can indubitably survive in these playoffs. There’s no telling how long, but as of right now, the Lakers are alive.

Lakers Win Big For Jerry Buss

What happened Wednesday night, two days removed from the death of the greatest owner in the history of professional sports, left me touched and in tears. What we saw from folks at a venue in Los Angeles, to pay their profound respects to the most successful and influential owner, was an emotional scene so affecting that fans were fighting back tears.

A short video clip was shown on the Staples Center big screen, and then Kobe Bryant sauntered slowly onto the court. He took the microphone, with his face erupting into sadness at the time, as he addressed the crowd followed by a moment of silence for Dr. Jerry Buss, who died on Monday after his long battle with cancer.

As tearful as it was, Bryant shared his thoughts on Buss from half -court and wiped away tears during his emotional speech. As a way to honor the late owner, during a somber moment when the team celebrated Buss’ life and legacy, Bryant pointed toward the spot in which he sat and enjoyed his Lakers win titles.

What can you say about this moment, other than that the Lakers left an empty chair in his suite, a singular, enduring pregame ceremony dedicated to Dr. Buss?

“We are honoring the greatest owner in sports,” Bryant said. “He was a brilliant and incredible owner. He was an even better person with a great heart. We are all, all spoiled by his vision and drive to win year after year after year.”

The lights dimmed, for which a spotlight shone on a double suite, a family suite inside the arena where he watched the games with gorgeous women and his entourage. His words from a tape-recording blared out of the speakers through Staples Center to refresh everyone with memories as to what were his plans when he purchased the team back in the late-70s.

The crowd stood and chanted to express its deepest gratitude, for a man who made it all possible for one of the most celebrated and emotional moments in Staples Center. Even sweeter than anything else, the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 113-99, doing it for JB, who was always raring to beat Boston on the road or at home.

It didn’t matter as long as the Lakers overwhelmed their foes, in what is one of the NBA’s biggest rivalries ever, dating back to the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era or back to the Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell era.

The night was a tribute for a man who created the most entertaining team, an undaunted mastermind who was behind Showtime and made splashes by signing some of the most flashy and marquee players, bringing the franchise to life and spoiling a fan base that hates failure.

It is a legacy, of course, that will forever live on and own a special place in the hearts of Jeanie and Jim Buss, who have both been molded by their father to run a basketball business.

There will be folks talking and reminiscing about the good times with Buss for years to come, from the time he bought the Lakers in 1979 to the time he passed away, leaving behind the biggest show in sports history, one that will hopefully remain the property of the Buss family.

The man smiling down and winking his eye from the heavens, the man with a smooth toupee and a perfectly trimmed mustache that was his trademark will fully be appreciated for the memories he forged, for renewing the Lakers’ mystique year after year and producing an aura of greatness in the entertainment capital of the world.

Jeanie shared sentiment with actress Dyan Cannon before tip-off, a few rows behind the court, smiling and holding back tears as she mourned.

The night was about saying farewell to the inventor of Showtime, an owner who built an empire in Los Angeles and presided over 10 Lakers championships as a shrewd businessman because of his business acumen and basketball genius that defined a true winner.

Flags were flown at half-mast at the LA Live plaza across from Staples Center, and a wall was erected as fans adorn it by leaving thoughts and memories. The team also wore a JB patch, bearing Buss’ initials in every game.

It was fitting that the Lakers hosted the Celtics, a meeting Buss often looked forward to taking joy in and witnessing, especially when the Lakers beat their archrivals.

It was more than just a game but a moment to remember a dedicated and fervid showman, the pioneer of one of the most decorated NBA franchises ever, spending millions to form a team full of talented studs and bond with the smartest minds in the game that turned the Lakers into a million-dollar business brand.

It was perfect to listen to Bryant’s eloquent words when Buss met with the Black Mamba, divulged to him that he wanted to give the keys to him and traded Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center in the game’s history.

What a man he has become, stepping into his role as not only a clutch performer, but a team leader, as he was able to earn Buss’ trust and be named team captain after helping the Lakers win five NBA championships in 17 years.

This was a rare moment for sure, a time in Bryant’s life when he delivered his thoughts about a man who handed him the reins, and to this day, he credits his longtime friend for talking him into staying with the Lakers. Bryant, who had 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, was honored to speak on Dr. Buss, but was emotionally shaken while breaking into a smile slightly by the time it was all over.

If my assertion is true, which I hope, the Lakers can ride a winning-streak in the upcoming weeks, following LA’s most dominant effort this season: an incredibly remarkable, statement-made, limited-turnover performance. Playing with heavy hearts, the Lakers, for the first time all season, were strong-willed and aggressive, jumping out to a fast start that propelled to a heartwarming victory.

For all the uncertainty and trade rumors that surrounded Dwight Howard, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds to earn back his self-proclaimed “Superman” nickname, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that he will not trade the center before Thursday’s trade deadline, and they stuck to that word.

This commitment to Howard might not be such a bad suggestion, after all, not when he finally played like the most dominant center, after failures for much of the season raised doubts.

He’s making a stride toward silencing the critics and naysayers throughout Los Angeles and has suddenly come alive to give the Lakers what they’ve expected from the beginning of the season.

It was likely to see this performance coming from a team playing with heavy hearts and motivated by Buss’ loss, but it was also payback for the 116-95 blowout to the Celtics two weeks ago in Boston, realizing the magnitude of winning these games down the stretch, as Los Angeles is only 3½ games behind Houston for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

He was very impressive, but he needs to give his best effort every night, in the aftermath of his best game as a Laker. The best part about Howard, as he brought his game, was that he set screens for Lakers point guard Steve Nash.

That allowed Nash to make six-of-seven shots and score 14 points, while he also had seven assists to surpass Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,144).

Win or lose, Buss was close to his players and pampered them as if they were his own children. But he wasn’t too fond of losing, which is all the more reason he spent the money and brought in the necessities to win championships and form a dynasty that was unmatched to most NBA franchises.

Bryant and Pau Gasol had a bond that was just as special as Johnson’s with his friend and owner, a man who was a visionary and mentor.

Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers head coach, wasn’t around long enough to build a strong relationship with Buss, and when the Showtime Lakers were the dominant ones in the 80s, he was playing in Italy. But when no one else gave D’Antoni an opportunity, the Buss family was willing to welcome him to LA with open arms, after parting ways with a disappointing Mike Brown.

And mostly, winning was imperative to Buss. He didn’t care how it worked, as long as it did.

The Lakers won it for Jerry Buss.

Lakers Must Get Rid of Dwight Howard To Avoid Any More Drama

There’s an entire city that knows just what to expect, used to the futility and long suffering, used to the phoniness and broken promises. It’s because Dwight Howard is unhappy with the team and his teammates and couldn’t care less about the Los Angeles Lakers, pouting about the number of touches and finding convenient excuses to sit out a game as he supposedly nurses an injury.

Not much makes me frown, but Howard makes me cringe and it’s nauseating to watch him nightly as people describe him as the most dominant center of our generation when clearly he has not lived up to the expectations and has not challenged himself to emerge into an NBA superstar and hero forevermore.

By now, it’s clear, assuming from his lethargy and torpidity, that he’s unfit to wear a Lakers uniform, not the man for the team, not the Lakers’ future and certainly not the unquestioned leader once Kobe Bryant walks from the game.

Bryant is unparalleled, never to be replicated in LA, a scorching scorer and marksman whose accomplishments will forever leave behind an enduring legacy in an era when he scored 81 points in a single game and in an age when he’s been a clutch performer.

In addition, Bryant has drilled an array of buzzer-beaters and led the Lakers to two NBA titles without the services of his longtime sidekick, Shaquille O’Neal.

The fact of the matter is, ladies and gentleman — to put it simply — that we won’t ever witness another Kobe Bryant. Much as the Buss family hopes to see Howard evolve into the next star on the red carpet, he’s realistically not too pleased when he’s on the floor, he’s not satisfied and seemingly wants to play elsewhere — maybe in Brooklyn, Atlanta, Dallas or even Oklahoma City but surely not here in LA.

So why even try to hold on to the self-proclaimed Superman who is not even a man of steel? It’s time the Lakers listen to trade offers and move the disappointing center, especially for someone who has not done much for the team since his arrival and spent ample time on the sideline with an injury.

At age 27, he has no clue where he wants to play, he’s confused and wishy-washy, unable to make up his damn mind. One minute he’s happy to be a Laker, the next he’s miserable and depressed.

He very easily could be a bust who has compelled us to buy into the unnecessary hype here in Los Angeles with everybody still mesmerized by his sensational dunk in the NBA slam dunk contest, which technically wasn’t a dunk, all while donning a Superman T-Shirt and cape.

It’s been a disappointing season, dare I say it, for Howard and the Lakers as a unit, searching for answers as to why the team is struggling and unexpectedly might miss the playoffs as the regular season is months away from drawing to a close.

But for some reason, probably because he reigns dominant and was supposed to be the Lakers next big man to follow the footsteps of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and O’Neal, he’s not putting in effort — healthy or unhealthy — and stands underneath the basket without grabbing a rebound or without slamming it down over smaller opponents.

In other words, he’s not the player as advertised and fans no longer care if he walks or not at the end of the season. Seems Lakers supporters are encouraging the Buss family to trade the three-time defensive player of the year.

What a complete lazy slob, huh? He’s not a supplementary player. He’s a cancer to the team, an absolute toxic waste, polluting the Pacific waters and rashly upsetting a large population in Lakerland, a place he’s doubted and suddenly disliked by the vast majority. In retrospect, Howard’s enigma and flakiness may have ended his run with the Lakers.

But some believe he will remain with the team at least until the end of the season, probably because Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said he will not trade Howard. Forgive me if I’m too harsh on Howard — but I feel he won’t ever be a dominant center in the league.

When he came to LA, everybody thought he was finally glad and grateful for a change of scenery. Turns out, he’s still the whiny brat we once knew in Orlando, the same crybaby who annoyed basketball lovers — including the Orlando Magic front office.

But all it shows is that nobody can ever run from their problems and can only take their issues wherever they go — different state or city — none of that matters. It also shows that he’s not matured, not a strong leader and still has dire need for improvement in his free throws and with his mental toughness under the basket. Until then, he won’t ever be a star in the NBA.

TRUTH!!!

Jim Buss, co-owner of the Lakers, gambled and might regret bringing him on board to gel with Bryant and the gang, but he was misleading and wanted to contend for a title and accepted a trade from Orlando to Los Angeles, a place he initially had no intentions playing for the first day he arrived.

Not once has he sworn to wear purple and gold next season — and never said he’d like to be a Laker for life. Now, he’s becoming NBA’s annoying diva, roughly a nuisance who is an absolute turnoff if nothing else at this very moment, drawing so much attention for his injuries and endless feuds with Bryant allegedly.

Word on the street is that he and Bryant almost came to blows in the locker room with tensions boiling over to add to the messy circumstances that have had an affect on the team’s porous performance all season. He’s not totally committed to LA, and without a doubt, there’s not a mutual marriage between Howard and the Lakers, just not.

It’s not an ideal Hollywood makeover, and just from his body language and bad decorum, he won’t be in LA much longer. There’s a feeling that both the Lakers and Howard will cut ties and go their separate ways. That’s what every Lakers’ fan should hope for real soon, and every fan across the Southland should be imploring for the team to orchestrate a Howard trade.

In LA, he’s unwanted, he’s unwelcome and seems to not care whether the Lakers win or lose, looking for every excuse to leave after this season before he can even say goodbye next summer, which is quickly nearing. The Lakers, as they’ve done precisely in the past, traded players but unwisely dealt those who were valuable and contributed in some way.

So now would be the time, as NBA’s trade deadline is coming to a close, to phone Nets general manager Billy King for sole possession of the big man. The resident of Los Angeles wishes he was a resident of Brooklyn — to be quite honest.

Truth be told, after sharing the ball with Bryant and having to be the team’s second-option, he’s erratic and moody. When you think about it, Bryant attempts way too many shots sometimes, unwilling to trust in his teammates and believes he has no choice but to ball hog in order for the Lakers to win a ballgame.

It’s too often that his selfishness has thwarted the Lakers. It’s too often that Howard is petulant and overwrought because of Bryant’s ego and lack of generosity at times.

But, either way, that is, it’s now time to trade Howard. Make that quick and fast. Make that right now. Even after Kupchak said he has no intentions in trading his overrated superstar, once it became apparent that Howard has not given it his all, the Lakers can trade him to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and multiple pieces.

They could also send him to Atlanta, his native home, for Josh Smith and additional players. In many ways — mind you — it would appease both players when Smith desperately wants out of Atlanta and when it seems Howard wants out of LA.

Sure he’s telling us he’s happy with Bryant. Sure he’s brainwashing us with the notion that he’s committed to a storied franchise. Sure he says he will sign long-term when questions are still lingering about his future as a Laker.

But, as we’ve seen in the past, NBA players or any professional athlete for that matter lies and then when free agency suddenly comes around they leave for another team that was willing to give them what they asked for. He’s got a lot to learn about the game, about getting along with his teammates and peers.

With this team, as there is just so much star power and talent, it seems like he and Pau Gasol cannot play together. It could precisely be because of Mike D’Antoni, whose peculiar, up-tempo offense is detriment to his players.

It’s definitely hard to tell whether or not Bryant and Howard’s relationship is getting better, although they seem to be working out their problems and getting over a recent fallout. But he’s still a shadow of his teammate Bryant, as Howard recovers from his surgically repaired back and says he’s only 75 percent.

On top of that, he’s plagued by a shoulder injury as well, and missed a few games with pain in the shoulder but finally returned and managed to play through it. Some are fine with Howard averaging 16.2 points and 11.7 rebounds, while others aren’t pleased with his lack of intensity that has overshadowed his decent numbers.

Meanwhile, Howard has the leverage and dictates what he does, as far as on the court and off the court. The Lakers do not have the upper hand and won’t have it until they decide enough is enough and trade the big man to end the fuss and unnecessary drama that has killed the Lakers reassuring season.

He knows the ball is in his court and has been unhappy with the number of touches, begging for the ball in his spot under the basket where he can be dominant when he wants. For now, he’s demanding what he wants and controls his own terms.

He’s more powerful than the Lakers.

It’s a Dwightmare in Hollywood and the way to end it is by getting rid of the drama queen.

When Nash Stays Healthy, Lakers Are Tough

Staples Center was packed Tuesday afternoon, a sellout capacity crowd in attendance to watch their beloved Lakers encounter the red hot Knicks -- who were by far LA's toughest opponent this season. One of the surest things is that the Los Angeles Lakers can in fact beat a top-notched team, as fans can suddenly stop panicking and remain every bit optimistic about a storied franchise.

And while Mike D'Antoni's Lakers were, well, lethargic, disengaged and soft, to one's understanding, D'Antoni used flimsy excuses. And maybe he was right. With the return of Steve Nash, the Lakers have improved -- faster and more potent with him on the floor as their trusty point guard. The Lakers, who have been looking for solutions and ways to dismiss woes and mediocrity, cannot win a 17th NBA title without Nash.

It's just seemingly implausible, and Nash has been called on to salvage the Lakers season before matters become worse. The Lakers, when Nash is on the floor, are more efficient and everybody knows their role it seems. For as long as we've known D'Antoni, he's needed this guy by his side, he's counted on Nash and he has run and executed his offense brilliantly. With Nash, D'Antoni has a .734 career win percentage in games. Without him, he has a .387 win percentage.

OK, it's only one tough opponent they played against when it comes to teams over .500. OK, Kobe Bryant had an efficient 34 point on 14-for-24 shooting effort against the Knicks. OK, fine, Pau Gasol finally played with heart and toughness, dishing out six assists and swooping down to the rim finishing with an empathic submarine-dunk in the final seconds for the game-clinching point. OK, Metta World Peace scored 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench, while involved in a heavyweight-wrestling match with Carmelo Anthony.

But with Nash back running the offense, the Lakers are still hopeful they can bring home a championship. After the Lakers beat the Knicks 100-94 on Christmas Day for their fifth straight win, it was heard loud and clear, it gave fans something to smile and cheer about. Entering this game, the Lakers lost three consecutive times on Dec. 25, making it anything but jolly for Bryant. Thank goodness for Nash. This time around, Mr. Grinch didn't steal Christmas from the Lakers. This time around, it was holiday redemption and the Lakers avenged their loss against the Knicks, cooling down the hottest team in the league.

For Nash, the holiday season is about giving, averaging 20 assists in his first two games since the comeback. By all rights, the Lakers should still be a heavy playoff favorite, after making a loud statement. It's now time for fans to breathe a sigh of relief, now time to feel good about something, realizing this team is built with talent and a bevy of stars who can make a playoff run based on experience and athleticism.

Fortunately for the Lakers, who were quiescent and lifeless without Nash, the time couldn't be better for his return, with the Knicks arriving for a holiday matinee and a rematch after annihilating L.A. at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago. Nash welcomed swarms of reporters, he stood there by his locker, waiting patiently to be interrogated and responded softly. In the age of NBA guards and anybody with ball-handling skills to run the floor and distribute the ball, the Lakers have been missing a critical piece on offense. If the Lakers desire winning a championship in June, then Nash must be a key component, and indeed he fits in D'Antoni's system.

Nash, by the way, directed D'Antoni's up-tempo offense for four seasons with the Phoenix Suns, and so with his familiarity and ability to facilitate and get up and down the floor, he's definitely the Lakers' way out of trouble. The Lakers, once embarrassed and frustrated, has to certainly feel more confident and glad he's back in the starting five. These Lakers, remember, were struggling and falling to substandard opponents, drawing criticism and doubts from fans. These Lakers, remember, are led by Kobe Bryant, who is well past his prime and has taken way too many shots, not realizing age has finally caught up with him.

It wasn't working without Nash, and now that he's back, the Lakers have a legitimate shot. It can't be ignored when Nash is on the floor distributing the ball, making his teammates better, setting up open looks and creating in transition. It can't be ignored when Nash is delivering passes inside the paint, playing like an ageless point guard and orchestrating a system and new offense created by someone who is identified as an offensive guru.

There is no better way to look at it, but realistically Nash is maybe the most important player on the Lakers, and it really was evident once sidelined 24 games because of his fractured left leg. Not surprisingly, the Lakers are 2-0 with Nash in the lineup, one of the most creative and finest playmakers in the game. For those who have watched Nash for years, he puts everything in perspective and keeps everyone compose, and because of it, the offense flows and feeds on his energy and ability to create in transition. I know, I know, Nash made it possible for the Lakers, controlling the final minutes of the Christmas Day masterpiece, on a day Bryant surpassed Oscar Robertson to become the all-time scoring leader in Christmas Day games.

The matchup of the leagues top two scorers was more of the focus at the beginning, with Bryant and Anthony putting on a show, making thrilling shots and dropping 34 points each. After Bryant and Anthony were done with a thrilling shot-making contest, under six minutes left to play in the fourth, it quickly became Nash's team. As time dwindled down, Nash assisted and or scored on 12 of the Lakers' last 15 points. It was dramatic closing minutes, with Bryant hitting a jump shot and with Dwight Howard enticing the crowd following a dunk. Late in the game, Nash made a few jumpers that were critical and then Gasol was awarded free throws on a pass from Nash.

Since he's come back, the Lakers are the team to beat, from what it seems. Turns out, Nash is the perfect Christmas gift.

There is legitimacy on this Lakers team, and since everybody is touching the ball with Nash back, they are more cohesive and are playing smarter and faster.

There are championship aspirations, after all.

It came on Christmas Day, an ultimate Xmas gift.

Dwight Howard To Hollywood: Lakers Soar Into Prime Contention

The Buss family, especially Jim, the son of Jerry who is running an operation out of Los Angeles, negotiated and somehow landed Dwight Howard in Hollywood. The Los Angeles Lakers, whose recipe for success is constant rebuilding with blockbuster moves, satisfied their star guard Kobe Bryant, surrounding him with star power and plenty of talent to suddenly emerge as favorites in the West.

It’s a no-brainer, after a four-team trade sent Howard to L.A. and after the Lakers super-sized their roster to regain strength and aspiration — as always — that the Lakers are in contention for an NBA championship. The embarrassment the Lakers sustained the last two seasons impetuously drove the Busses to revamp and make certain they stay at the top to contend in the postseason. The Dwightmare is finally over, and folks all over can breathe a sigh of relief, particularly fans donning purple and gold attire who are lucky to have D12 arrive at Hollywood, where he fits in rather perfectly. After all, he’s an entertainer, a solid performer when he chooses to be and earned the “Superman” moniker from his days in Orlando.

Put aside all the rumors. Put aside all the speculations and tired trade sagas. Willingly and merrily, he’s leaving the Sunshine State to relocate to a new address in Los Angeles — off Figueroa Street and Chick Hearn Court — and respectfully steps into the spotlight, welcomed to his new home immediately with a chance to contend for a title with a team demanding to continue a winning tradition. Not surprising, however, that the Lakers acquired Howard from Orlando to make Thursday’s headlines, when he’s been seen around Los Angeles. It’s evident he enjoys the glamour of five-star restaurants and luxury hotels in a town where he’s now famously known as the Lakers’ seven-foot center, or rather remarkably, a superhero who is already idolized, although L.A. fans booed Howard during a ballgame at Dodger Stadium when the Jumbotron showed him standing outside of a stadium suite. And then he was also spotted walking out of a Beverly Hills hotel.

Like Randy Newman and most celebrities, Howard LOVES L.A., realizing he’s joined the Lakers, an assembled team with a nucleus of talent. After adding Howard to the roster, the magnitude of L.A. pro sports centers around the Lakers, whose starting lineup features NBA’s finest studs in Bryant, Metta World Peace and Steve Nash. Pau Gasol, who is also an elite megastar for the Lakers, was ecstatic and relieved he wasn’t traded elsewhere when he’s been floating in trade rumors for months and likely was one of the players to be moved as part of a blockbuster deal. Meanwhile, Howard is, at long last, out of Orlando. He is, at long last, glad to be putting on a Lakers uniform. He is not, at long last, disgruntled or unhappy with a change of scenery, coming to an established team destined to make a strong championship push.

The Lakers, suddenly, are very interesting. The offseason was, for the most part, chaotic and tumult with a lingering saga hijacking the summer as 24/7 coverage on Howard annoyed fans. When he demanded to be traded — with all indications that he wanted to call Brooklyn home — the Lakers, as they should have, phoned the Orlando Magic organization and listened to offers. It was frustrating for months, as the Magic and Howard weren’t sure what their intentions were as to whether or not the self-proclaimed Superman desired staying in Orlando until he became a free agent after next season. It was telling the Lakers were old and stagnant, and were in dire need of younger and fresher legs to keep up with teams like the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder in the open floor. Having said that, the Lakers continue to bring in the missing pieces to blend in well alongside Bryant, who still wants to be bestowed a championship ring, as they are now in position to win a championship.

Before Nash and Howard joined the company of Bryant and the gang, the Lakers were devoid of athleticism with an aging Kobe well past his prime. As he continues to age, Bryant can’t score as much as he used to nor can he play as hard as he used to when he was well in his prime. The folks in the front office knew they had to sooner than later be proactive and build around one of the greatest scorers in the game, as a way to put a smile on Kobe’s face to avoid any feuding. Remember, years ago he demanded a trade and essentially — if you believe everything you read and hear — was supposed to end up finishing his fantastic career in the Windy City, where he’d have played in the shadows of Michael Jordan and would’ve had tremendous pressure to fill the shoes of a legend. Had it not been for Kobe’s pouting and whining, which may have been a brilliant strategy that forced the Lakers to head into a new direction, they wouldn’t have pursued in a deal to acquire Gasol from Memphis.

Right now, though, the newest Laker is Howard. The deal is officially done, and the Lakers look forward to raising a 17th championship banner into the rafters at Staples Center with a celebration on their minds. In many ways — that is — we simply understand the Lakers’ motives and philosophies. The thing is, if there is a talked-about big man available who is dominant to prolong excellence in the modern era, the Lakers don’t hesitate and finds a way to get him. Quite often, as we’ve seen for decades, the Lakers have turned sizable big men into legends, relying on a dominant inside presence and high-profile centers — Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan and Shaquille O’Neal.

Truth be told, the Lakers were aggressive and refused to pass on a lifetime offer that could benefit the team in the long run. It’s tough to be in Mitch Kupchak’s position, but the Lakers general manager wasn’t letting Howard get away and amazingly pulled of another steal, certainly in conversations to be named NBA Executive of the Year. It wasn’t long ago, when he blundered on botched maneuvers and dismantled the team briefly, that he was a puppet on strings unable to have a word in the personnel decisions, as Buss dictated the direction of his franchise. They both needed a wake up call, which occurred when the Lakers were dispatched in the second round for the second straight year with a five-game loss to the Thunder last season.

The reality of it all was that the Lakers couldn’t win with their current roster, badly and seriously needing an overhaul to revitalize a broken team in the City of Angels. The reality of it all was that the Lakers couldn’t survive after embarrassing losses that resulted in early playoff exits. The Lakers wasted no time to rectify the problem, and wisely addressed their top priority by strengthening the point guard position, bringing in two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash to considerably form a scintillating backcourt combination. This is what happens when a team is humiliated in the postseason and continues to fall victim to blowouts, a prominent franchise that upgraded its team to make a run at the championship.

It was nice of the rival Phoenix Suns to reach an agreement on a sign-and-trade that sent Nash to Los Angeles. The only solution, then, was for the Lakers to trade center Andrew Bynum for Howard. They had conversations over the phone, trying hard to whisper sweet things in Rob Hennigan’s ears, Orlando’s newly minted GM. It took a four-team, eight-player deal to get it done, and while the Lakers have improved overnight it seems, the 76ers ended up with Bynum and will now have a low-post presence to create shooting opportunities for Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday. The other team involved was Denver and they picked up Andre Iguodala, a swingman whose presence can sharpen the Nuggets’ perimeter defense.

On the day the Lakers welcomed home Howard, it was a day the Lakers waved goodbye to Bynum, as his services were no longer needed. Either he was consistent or inconsistent. Either he was lousy or effective. And with Howard, as the team’s next big man, the Lakers think they can actually succeed with him in the lineup — they are doing whatever it takes to win. That explains why they have a multitude of NBA titles, why they are either loved or loathed and why Lakers’ games are national televised regularly. This is what happens when an NBA team consists of an array of stars. We are infatuated with stars and love our superstars, as many Americans revere these idols, madly obsessed with the Bryants, the Howards, the Nashes and other attractive figures who are marketable and winners.

As for the Lakers, they make moves to win NOW. The Lakers, as usual, are eyeing a gleaming trophy. It’s all about winning championships, and each year L.A. is normally in contention, rarely missing the postseason. If the Lakers do miss the postseason, they aren’t down very long and eventually return to the playoffs and makes a deep run to be a menace in the West, like they will now. The Lakers, ladies and gentlemen, are back and could have a 70-plus-win season, especially with Kobe and Nash’s veteran leadership. It’s their 17th season in the league, but they both can still play at a high level as the new 30 and older is the new 20 and younger. The gravity of an NBA championship is within reach, and with the Howard acquisition, anything can happen. It’s still surreal that Howard will make Hollywood his home, when becoming a Laker didn’t ever seem feasible, until three days ago. And before then, he was flirting with the Nets and the Rockets, without the Lakers even being on his list. But now that he’s with the Lakers, he doesn’t regret it and appears to be in high spirits.

Howard will be a free agent at the end of next season, and said he’s testing the market. There’s nothing wrong with exploring options, but he won’t be going anywhere after next season if the Lakers have a deep playoff run and wins a championship. He realizes that he can win multiple titles in L.A. and celebrate alongside Bryant, who is by far the best player of this generation. If Howard is playing for championship rings, then he knows L.A. is the right place.

Deron Williams Key to Nets Debut In Brooklyn

His name is Deron Williams, a free agent point guard who wants to make his decision before reporting to Team USA training camp on Thursday. He doesn’t need them — but, oh, Brooklyn wants him, knowing he can definitely sell tickets in a new location for a franchise that moved from New Jersey to New York, one of the largest media markets in the country.

Hints as to where he will sign are vague and unknown at this point, but nonetheless we will speculate where free agency’s ultimate prize will end up shortly after Independence Day. As of now, that is, expect Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King to aggressively work on a long-term deal to hold on to Williams. It’s a very provocative tableau, wondering whether or not he will stay to hopefully team up with Dwight Howard, who demanded a trade to Brooklyn. But knowing his ever-changeable mind, Howard could, as usual, change his mind about joining the new-look Nets. And, according to reports, the Nets have dropped out of the Howard sweepstakes and looked into another direction for now, with an agreement in principle to acquire guard Joe Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks.

It’s all in Kings’ hands to make sure the deal gets done, and with a tremendous amount of pressure on him, he could be the first GM to come through on a deal that wheedles him to build a foundation in Brooklyn. If he can’t talk Williams into staying, which is likely as the three-time All-star is leaning toward the Dallas Mavericks and the Nets, the idea of building one of the bona fide tandems in basketball falls apart. Williams, who grew up in the suburbs of Dallas — and now as the most coveted free agent — some are speculating his next destination is with the Mavericks. But even better, under the new CBA rules, he can sign a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million, whereas Dallas can offer him $75 million over four years.

Wherever he goes, Williams is a consolation prize any team would like to have on board, expected to keep on a Nets uniform after the team has relocated, in a nearby town next to Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudimire. If the Nets manufacture a raft of star power that can put butts in seats and churn out revenue for a franchise on the horizon — with enough victories — this team could respectfully be given the nod in the Eastern Conference and turn into instant semifinalists in their flashy new home. No one, least of all the Brooklyn folks, cares about the business aspect of it. But they do know they want to see Williams in a Nets uniform come next season. That’s all that matters. He’s all that matters.

If it does happen, he’s going to be the face of the franchise and will handle the point guard duties. He’s proven to be a trusty guard who runs the offense and is one of the best scoring point guards in the league with his elite passing and sharp ball-handling. The man, in addition to all of this, plays where he can make the money, and if it happens to be in Brooklyn, well, then he will most definitely call it home and be the Nets franchise player as long as the team continues to pay him. There isn’t a bigger blockbuster name out there who is worth keeping around, and the Nets are desperately hoping to finally persuade Williams to forge his signature for a long-term commitment, when much promise is suddenly coming to life.

It can be the most exciting franchise, and it can be more fun with Williams as a marquee name, a centerpiece for a blueprint to awe New Yorkers a couple of rivers over, on the busy streets of Brooklyn. And here comes a re-branded and resuscitated Nets team that fled Newark and opened the new Barclays Center in Boerum Hill, and here comes flamboyant billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia’s richest and charismatic moguls. What’s a boon for the Nets and Brooklyn homers, as a result of Brooklyn having money to spend in hopes to invest and build a winning product, is how Prokhorov is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Williams to not turn down the Nets and leave for Dallas.

He is, as a competitor and savvy tycoon, not going to lose his battle to Mark Cuban if he can re-sign Williams by putting together a sturdy supporting cast and building a workable nucleus. If Williams walks out on the Nets, however, Brooklyn won’t even qualify for the playoffs, especially now that the team has rebuffed interest in Howard. This is the biggest offseason for the Nets, and it feels almost like they are aggressively fighting for the most attractive free agent available. It would be a colossal disappointment if Brooklyn misses out on Williams, and fails to retain his services, as the Nets are styling a new logo and new jerseys. There’s no way he’d turn down the Nets, unless they refuse to give him the asking price and take care of him for the next five years.

In a perfect world, it shouldn’t be a problem financially, and not only do you have one of the wealthiest men investing billions on one team, but you have a famous minority owner in Jay-Z. At no better time, the Nets are fortunate and have $40 million in salary-cap space, a flashy new arena and, in a matter of days, could even re-sign Williams. In the meantime, the addition of Johnson, who is owed nearly $90 million over the next four seasons, was a strategy to woo Williams to stay. Flirting with Johnson, team executives would not have pursued him if he couldn’t persuade Williams to make his home in Brooklyn.

There’s still no guarantee Williams re-signs with the Nets, but maybe he’s now intrigued, realizing that he has assistance in the backcourt. In exchange for Johnson, the Nets sent Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro and Jordan Williams — including a signed-and-traded DeShawn Stevenson and a 2012 first-round pick from Houston to Atlanta. A $7.6 million hold for restricted free agent Brook Lopez will put them in serious salary-cap trouble. Very soon, Lopez is expected to re-sign, and when he does the Nets will be at $59 million — over the cap, but under the $70.3 million luxury-tax.

The best part — or maybe the foretelling part — following the recent transitions to meet a superstar’s demands when it comes to surrounding him with a supporting cast — is that this might have just kept Williams in Brooklyn.

Dwight Howard Creates Drama In Magic Kingdom

There is no repairing a broken relationship with Dwight Howard, a wishy-washy, flip-flopping, flaky, don’t-know-what-he-wants diva who was given too much power and abused his authority. The circus has drained us all, and peeved our senses — over and over until we couldn’t listen to the nonsense from a man who selfishly thought about himself and no one else, as the Orlando Magic meant nothing to him, even though he preached the magnitude of loyalty.

What loyalty?

For the last few months now, Howard has put a petulant franchise in Central Florida through hell, and drawn more headlines than any other player. A long time ago, we should have seen this coming from his body language and antics, which was clear that he really was unsure about renewing his vows with a team where he is not satisfied but unhappy. He told the Magic again that he wants to be traded to the Nets. On Friday, Howard, who has grown frustrated with the situation in Orlando, met with newly minted general manager Rob Hennigan face to face in Los Angeles. So now, the Magic are listening to offers and have already had discussions about moving the disgruntled center.

It figures. He told us he wanted out of town months ago. It’s the same tired saga and it just won’t go away, until Howard finally behaves like a man and not a spoiled brat who is seeking more attention and not so much a desirable destination to satisfy him — a pouty, self-centered superstar acting like an overly controlling owner. Simply he’s only a player, not an executive upstairs making personnel decisions. And so it seems though Howard won’t be in Orlando too much longer, begging to leave an organization that was too nice and gave him too much leeway. Like many before, he abused it and was haughty and bombastic throughout the course of the season. With all indications leaning toward a trade in potentially the next 24 hours, Howard’s preferred destination is Brooklyn.

But wherever he goes, as his departure appears to be inevitable, he’s a risk judging by his immaturity and baggage. It’s almost understandable as to why he wants to leave as new management refuses to give him power, unwilling to bow down to his demands. Howard wants to be a dictator for a team that now realizes they made a dreadful mistake by giving him too much responsibility. There’s never been a player, at least from my mind, who wanted so much from a team and implored for fame and/or likability among fans and teammates. Has it ever dawn on Howard that this is one way a person can fall from grace and lose respect? If anything, he’s turning away fractious and furious Orlando fans, and the vast majority by now are ready for him to either leave or stay, burnt out from the ongoing drama that has cast a gloom on the Magic Kingdom.

If he weren't content all along, then he should have stayed true to his words from the beginning of the season when he asked to be traded, and should have had the guts to be upfront with his bosses. But instead, he was biting the hands that fed him, acting as if he was happy with the team's direction, grinning in front of the media and telling the team and reporters he would stay through the 2012-2013 season and then become a free agent the following summer. Just to refresh one’s memory, he said he wouldn’t opt out of his deal and signed a waiver to remain under contract. He was, for the moment, credible and fairly popular in Orlando, where he was a marketable player for a lone sports franchise. What no one knew about him was that he was deceptive and fibbing to us last season. His responsibilities changed and he wasn’t committed to the team, however, and promised to stay loyal to the Magic but then he chickened out on team executives, his teammates and fans. His team was fooled, you were fooled, and I was fooled. Knowing his penchant for changing his mind, he never had the self-will, desire or urgency to take accountability and perform to his highest standard.

It’s a crazy summer in Orlando, with all the Howard drama stealing and killing the buzz, as we learn more about a 7-foot center who was never Superman and never wore his cape like a superhero.

Not once did he even come close to resembling Wonder Woman or Batgirl.

The absurdity from this Dwight Howard tumult, that is already hijacking our summer while free agency has opened with swirling drama mostly surrounding Howard, is the most annoying soap opera to drag on from time to time. The whole nonsense about trying to be the most famous and likable player is ridiculous to believe when he knew exactly what his intentions were and waited until the first day of free agency to grab our attention. By flashing back to the season — keep in mind — he tried to have his former coach Stan Van Gundy fired. In hopes to please Howard, the team cut ties with Van Gundy and relieved him of his duties. On the same day, the Magic and GM Otis Smith unanimously parted ways, and none of it ended the infighting, disastrous mess in Orlando.

After all of this, Howard is still not too satisfied and is unhappy on a team where there’s no coach, and no star player to play alongside one of the biggest men in the game. But he knew from the get-go that he really wasn’t willing to play for the Magic. And with that being the case, why wasn’t he man enough to speak up and demand a trade when he asked for one during the season? It was already a divorce in the making, in which everyone had sort of gathered a sense that his days were numbered in a Magic uniform, and surely, he’s now inclined to leave.

It would be best for Howard, and it would be best for the Magic if they both went their separate ways and moved forward. What he has done, while he has had the leverage in what has become a disaster that has taken countless twists and turns, is screwed over the Magic and led them to believe that he would be staying. For a long time, however, he’s been disappointed with the organization and told people that he feels the Magic “blackmailed” him into signing the “opt-in” clause. A week ago, he and his representatives complained to the players’ union in an attempt to have the waiver lifted, which would have made him a free agent this summer.

Oh, really?

That is why it’s time to part ways. He’s turning on the Magic organization, and no one is too sure what to believe at this point — at least I’m not too sure what to take away from this convoluted, chaotic mess. It’s hard to believe Howard was “blackmailed” when he had all the power to awe us with his magic tricks. So now he doesn’t want to stay because he’s upset the Magic made promises that have been broken. That means the organization has not mollified him. But it's good he can amount to something. Howard, in eight seasons, has led the league in rebounding three times. One individual achievement that stood out the most was when he led the league in double-doubles twice. He can also say he’s played in the NBA Finals, and has been voted the league’s Defensive Player of the Year three times.

There’s no question that he’s one of most dominant centers in the game, but he still needs to mellow into a matured professional when, as of now, he’s nothing more but a petulant child creating havoc, poisoning a team with his selfish, egotistical traits that just won’t fly with some teams. He can now flirt with the notion of playing with Deron Williams, a free-agent point guard who can sign with the Dallas Mavericks. There's a feeling Williams may decide to re-sign with the Nets, hearing the trade speculations that Howard likely could come to Brooklyn. The Nets reached an agreement with swingman Gerald Wallace on a 4-year, $40 million deal and are trying to hold on to Brook Lopez, as general manager Billy King and him are negotiating a deal. And with that, the Nets are shopping for deals and targeting the likes of Joe Johnson and O.J. Mayo.

There is pity to all of this Howard insanity. And one of these days, just as Brett Favre and LeBron James, Howard will regret what he’s done and realize how much he’s made it harder on himself. This is not the way to be a likable person. If anything, it’s the way to destroy one’s reputation. Not sure he ever thought about it. For now, at least, credibility is thrown out of the door wherever he plays.

Magic's Weaknesses Unveil Anything But Magical Touch in Legitimate Test

In a postseason with dull routs and lopsided finishes, the Orlando Magic, once regarded as the emerging franchise with the next dominant big man in one of the largest cities, all of a sudden has been deprived of creating a magical sequence, similar to the one a year ago, when the Magic earned a bid to the NBA Finals.

In Orlando, a beautiful vacationing spot, the population believed in a magical shooting touch, a category the Magic is usually proficient in compiling points.

It’s no longer unfathomable to realize that Orlando was untested and slightly deeper than Charlotte and Atlanta.

What exactly symbolized fate of the Magic, a heartless and harmless match against the Boston, is a team completely lost on defense and bewildered in finding the weaknesses of the aging Celtics.

And really, it’s hard to imagine Orlando avoiding a humiliating sweep in a series in which they never demoralized the pesky nemesis, now one win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time in two years, setting up a potential rematch against their foes the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a raucous arena, the crowd shouted continuously as the Celtics overpowered the Magic embarrassingly as if they were little kids without a clear understanding of basic fundamentals.

From the start, they were done, they were doomed, and they were badly dismantled without even attempting a comeback. The nightmares were uninspiring, lacking heart and fortitude in a game the Magic needed to avoid a possible sweep.

There’s proof that Orlando is clearly no match against Boston, even if some Celtics are barely standing on wobbly legs and knees.

With the Magic untested in the first two rounds of the uncompetitive postseason, we finally found out the truth about a mystified Orlando, unlike a year ago when it rose to new heights and encountered a one-sided match with the Lakers to suffer the loss when a surreal playoff run ended sorely.

All of which we now know the Magic’s true identity in a series the Celtics defied logic and tested the wills.

Judging by the first two series, they were deemed as the invincible Magicians of the East, but were mistakenly favored to return to the finals with depth, size and athleticism.

What? If this team was supposed to transcend, grasped a clear sense of what it takes to sustain felicity and validate the franchise’s history by winning its first championship, then why isn’t Dwight Howard dominating like Superman vanquished the evildoers? Of course, he’s not the only one to blame.

Why isn’t Vince Carter...the Vinsanity we once were accustomed to playing like he’s a revived megastar, but instead playing like an aging guard with no swagger? Why isn’t Rashard Lewis firing in three-pointers, but instead misfiring on nearly each shot attempt.

Suddenly, what happened? The Magic never recovered and had no response Saturday, but suffered the flimsiest playoff defeat in NBA history.


Sure, the Celtics' sumptuous defense is making every team it has faced look awful. Before, Boston made LeBron James seem like the most inferior player ever in the year he won the NBA Most Valuable Player award.

And now it seems Howard isn’t a physique or gigantic center, but a whiny baby easily teased and frustrated underneath the basket.

The pounding of Orlando, summarized an ugly night and shocked the entire team when the scoreboard inside the Garden posted the final outcome, 94-71, in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals.

After an effortless performance in the first two rounds, totaling an 8-0 record, the Magic encountered the biggest test in the postseason.

The Celtics have quickly become archenemies, retaliating and bouncing back from an unimaginable letdown a year ago, of course, when the Magic wasn’t bemused and dominated the East without even fiercely bulldozing its opponents.

In the series, Orlando has unraveled completely, losing composure, heart and firepower it once had to win. In short, the Magic are incapable of beating Boston.

It’s that very obvious trailing 3-0 on the brink of elimination as the Celtics aims towards dispatching the Magic, when everyone predicted they’ll return to the finals.

And some even forecast that Orlando would win its first-ever championship. It’s impossible to even suggest that they’ll win one game in this series.

In each game, the lack of urgency and consciousness revealed the flukiest postseason competitors.

Throughout the series, the Magic were outplayed on defense, missed an array of shots and heard shouts from coach Stan Van Gundy that went through one ear and out the other.

By halftime, the night was over as the score extended to embarrass Orlando, inspiring an electrifying crowd that started chanting “Beat L.A.!” “Beat L.A.!”

Early on, the Magic never found its magic touch and trailed 7-0. Shortly after, the night turned uglier and the Celtics maintained control the rest of the way, ending Howard’s and his lifeless teammates’ probable season and mitigated probability.

As time runs out on the Magic's season, Howard wasted much valuable time weeping over pity fouls in the series. He’s a 24-year old who hasn’t fully developed into a dominant force, with his incredible size advantage and wingspan.

He’s not Superman after all, a name given to him when he became the tallest man to win the dunk contest during NBA All-Star weekend not long ago. Maybe Shaq is still the man of steel.

With championship hopes on the line, Howard wasn’t the toughest man on the floor, but the most vulnerable only scoring seven points with seven rebounds.

It’s disappointing that the Magic played with no intensity, no guts, not even a suitable game plan to cut down a large deficit.

Well, when a team falls apart, you cannot point the finger at one individual, which means Howard isn’t the only one to blame.

He wasn’t wearing his comical smile, but disappointing expressions after struggling mightily, at one point down 21-6. Because of a lousy defensive approach, all defenders were manhandled, allowing Boston to possess a double-digit lead.

“They just riddled us,” Van Gundy said, blaming himself for not having his team prepared in a must-needed win.

The difference in such a one-sided contest, the Celtics outhustled and had the most intensity as the aggressors, controlling the dynamics of the game, while the Magic struggled to find the nets and failed to hustle or match the aggressiveness of Boston. It’s obvious that Van Gundy takes most of the blame.

He’s didn’t have his team prepared in an onslaught that eventually turned brutal, which is why he admittedly blamed himself for Orlando’s poor performance.

“The most disappointing to me was that I didn’t have our team better ready to play,” Van Gundy said. “That was what was disappointing to me was my job.”

The Celtics were crafty on the floor, particularly on the breathtaking moment involving Boston’s explosive guard Rajon Rondo. He outran Jason Williams to a loose ball in the backcourt, diving on the floor and picked it up to score.

This night really brought out the true colors of the Magic, when there were no signs of toughness or awareness, but a confused and discouraged group.

Lewis scored four points on 2-for-8 shooting, missing all four three-point attempts. The two biggest non-factors were Carter and Jameer Nelson, who had 15 points apiece.

And maybe the only thing exciting about this game was Kevin Garnett getting pushed into the Orlando bench, knocking over Van Gundy, or the diving play by Rondo to score the layup.

Other than that, there was nothing else to see. There was no magic whatsoever.